2011: The Run-Down

Continuing with tradition, I've decided to rehash some of my favorite things in 2011 (mostly in pop culture, admittedly), and take a look back at the year that was.
*Fun fact: While compiling this list, I realized I might be one of the only people in America who earnestly did not pay any attention to coverage of the Royal Wedding.

Favorite Performers:

Ryan Gosling:  I think pretty much everyone else on the planet can think of at least one reason why he makes the list, but I’ll try to jog the memory of anyone drawing a blank.  First of all, he was everywhere at the movies this year, from Blue Valentine to Crazy Stupid Love to Ides of March to Drive.  He’s just plain awesome in 99% of his public appearances, from bringing his dog to Jimmy Fallon’s show for an interview to intervening in a brawl on the streets of New York.  Not to mention the unf factor.  I mean, seriously, have you LOOKED at the man?

The HP Trio (aka Dan Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson):  True, it’s very possible that none of them will really have a career to speak of now that the biggest franchise of their lives has drawn to a close, but even if these three never do anything of note again, all the memories they’ve given us are more than enough to last a lifetime.  I know I’m not the only one who enjoyed every minute of growing up alongside them while they brought my favorite stories to life.  I’ll miss all the hype and the anticipation of a new HP film every two years, but it’s undeniable that these three absolutely went out on top.  So to Daniel, Rupert, and Emma—thanks for a decade of magic.

Amy Poehler:  Ms. Poehler has always been both hilarious and extremely innovate (and very underrated-ly so), but she really took 2011 by storm.  Parks and Recreation aired its entire flawless 3^rd season during 2011, and continued its winning streak in season 4.  As if that weren’t enough, Amy also delivered a commencement address at Harvard this spring, in which she imparted her unique brand of wisdom to an audience of young people who genuinely need to live in the same spirit of passion, determination, and kindness that is evident in everything this fantastic woman does.

People I’m Sick of Hearing About:

Anyone with the last name Kardashian (second year in a row, congrats ladies!). 
All the batshit crazy Republicans running for President in 2012. 
Anyone who is or has been a contestant on Dancing with the Stars.

Best Shows:

Parks and Recreation
How I Met Your Mother

Great Episodes:

Parks and Recreation:  “Road Trip” and “The End of the World”
Community:  “Remedial Chaos Theory”
Modern Family:  “Phil on Wire”
The Office:  “Goodbye Michael”
How I Met Your Mother:  “Symphony of Illumination”

Top 5 Films:

1. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part Two
2. The Ides of March
3. Contagion
4. Bridesmaids/Horrible Bosses (tie)
5.  The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Disappointments:

Codes and Keys:  Death Cab doesn’t work when Ben Gibbard is happy.  There, I said it.  This album is boring and repetitive.  Additional note:  now that he’s divorcing Zooey D, maybe the magic of DC’s initial gloom will return (silver lining, yes?)

America/the American economy:  No jobs, no money, no concern from the men in charge; no wonder the 99% have taken to the streets.

Honorable Mentions (no category, but they kept me interested/intrigued/excited throughout the year):

ADELE:  Remember the first time you heard Someone Like You?  Did you cry in public a little bit, like I did?  This woman’s voice is magic.  Case closed.

Steve Carrell:  Since he didn’t get an Emmy, I’m giving him my equivalent.

The cast of Parks and Recreation (especially Aziz Ansari and Adam Scott):  Flawless, and the fact that they didn’t snag a SAG nod for their work as an ensemble is criminal.

Jason Sudeikis:  This is rumored to be his last season on SNL, and I’m psyched to see if the career momentum he’s had recently continues.

Alexandre Desplat:  If he doesn’t get an Oscar (or at least a nomination) for the DH2 soundtrack, I’m considering it a crime.

Arrested Development:  It’s coming back!!!

JK Rowling:  Always and always, because none of the magic would’ve been possible without her.

Seth Meyers:  Killed it at the White House correspondent’s dinner, head writer at SNL in his 11^th year, remains absolutely charming in everything he does.

That's all I've got!  Here's hoping that 2012 brings even more laughter, epic moments, and joy (and you know, not that pesky apocalypse).  Happy New Year, and thanks for reading!

Hermione in the Movies: Too Glamorous to be a Role Model?

This is a very interesting article looking at the evolution (or de-evolution, depending on how you see it) of Hermione Granger’s character in the Harry Potter films.  It argues that writers and directors have given her too much of the typical “girly” quality and have minimized her braininess and logic to an unacceptable degree.  Of course, as a devout loyalist to the books, I cannot earnestly argue for the virtue of "film Hermione" over "book Hermione", but I do think some of the accusations made here are a bit inaccurate and unfair.

While I agree with some of the points made, most particularly the fact that yes, Emma Watson has grown more physically beautiful with each film and in the world of Hollywood/starlets/etc there is no way filmmakers would hesitate to use that to their advantage, I would argue that the film’s depiction is not quite as evil as The Guardian seems to believe.  They take issue with the fact that Hermione hesitates to destroy the horcrux in the final film, saying that she “can’t.”  The author asserts that the “real” Hermione would never say such a thing, and I wholeheartedly disagree.  Hermione Granger as we know and love her from the novels is very very intelligent and her ability to think critically under pressure saves many lives over the seven books, but she knows her limits.  Hermione is very dismissive of and at times insecure about her own bravery, particularly as compared to Harry and Ron’s more obvious boldness.  She has several significant moments of insecurity during the series, and those moments serve to not only teach her a lesson about herself but to show us as readers that she is not, in fact, superhuman.

I don’t think we can dismiss Hermione (even film Hermione) as a feminist character simply because she is physically attractive and occasionally doubts herself.  It’s what she does in the face of those doubts that really counts— she ultimately does destroy the horcrux in Deathly Hallows, not to mention kicks ass in the Battle of Hogwarts. And in the film Hermione’s bravest action comes later, when she sends Harry, her best friend and pseudo brother, off to die for the cause, something she has long suspected he would have to do.  Anyone who can take that kind of emotional blow in the midst of everything else going on is absolutely strong in my book, perfume and tight jeans or not (though for the record, I do think the perfume thing was a silly and unnecessary addition).

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2

I like to think it goes without saying, but SPOILER ALERT for anyone who hasn't watched the film yet.

I feel I should preface this with an explanation of why this film is so important to me, and what is probably a contributing factor in my enjoyment of it (because I know there will be people who disliked portions of the adaptation).  Deathly Hallows, and particularly the second half of the book, has always been the most resonant and emotional for me to read, so there was something uniquely both devastating and wonderful about seeing the moments that have become such a part of me unfold on the screen four years after the fact.  Any complaints I have are pretty nit-picky, and I think on the whole the filmmakers put the care and passion into this film that it so wholly deserves, and it shows in nearly every frame.  Ultimately, I'm very very satisfied with it, and I honestly could not have asked for a better ending to such a spectacular phase of my life.

But let's talk details, shall we?  I will try my best to choose a few highlights (which will inevitably turn into many highlights) from the final film that really stood out.

The most anticipated kiss in recent movie history:  Say what you will about liberties taken in the details, I thought it was done perfectly.  It was a great moment to have it happen, and it was done in a way that made it special without dwelling on it too much, calling us back to Harry's line from the book during this event:  "Is this the time?  There's a war going on here!"


Snape's redemption:  Yes, changes were made, and some purists will be unhappy about that.  But on the whole I thought the way it was handled was really great, and that it befit the overall tone of the film.  I liked that Snape's memories kind of merged with a montage of significant interactions with Harry over the years, allowing us to journey through their relationship while establishing Lily's importance to Snape.

Neville:  I'm fairly certain the alternate title of this film is The One Where Neville is Awesome All the Time, and a Total BAMF.  Seriously, I am so glad that he was given this time to shine, and that the film really delved into the leader Neville became at Hogwarts in Harry's absence.  Matthew Lewis gave a great performance in his final turn, and absolutely did this beloved character justice.

Harry & Ginny:  As I've previously asserted, the films have not really handled the development of this relationship as well as they ought to have done.  Until now, that is.  I was pleasantly surprised by the number of little moments we were given in DH2 showing their affection for one another, and though I was disappointed they omitted his walking past her into the forest, I was grateful for the scene on the stairs, with the kiss and Ginny's "I know" in response to Harry's unspoken declaration before parting ways to fight.  It was an understated moment to be sure, but somehow it was just about perfect.

Gringotts:  This was almost exactly as I envisioned it, exciting and nerve-wracking and even at moments humorous (Helena Bonham Carter playing Hermione posing as Bellatrix was every bit as fantastic as I'd hoped), and it was a well-paced introduction to the rapid deterioration to come.  Also, was it just me or did Ron look kind of weirdly attractive with that beard?


Harry's walk toward death:  Gosh.  Every single thing about this was amazing, and that is impressive because my hopes for it could not have been higher.  And Daniel Radcliffe gave a performance that I don't think anyone realized he was capable of.  From the moment Harry emerges from the pensieve to the moment Voldemort's spell hits him, I could not stop the tears.  So much of it was taken directly from the pages of the book, and the parts that weren't were just perfect (Hermione's response when Harry tells them he's a horcrux?  I thought I could cry at that alone for a hundred years).  The resurrection stone bit was nearly verbatim, and judging by the silence in our theater punctuated only by sniffles and quiet sobs, I was not the only one who's heart was breaking.  I know a lot of people (myself included) were anxious about the execution of this scene on film, but the filmmakers made it more beautiful and heart-wrenching than I dared to hope.

Supporting players:  For all of the actors, this final film was (obviously) their last chance to really make it count.  And my goodness, did they.  So many of the minor characters had fantastic moments to shine in this film, standouts among them including Luna Lovegood, Professor McGonagall (her duel with Snape was downright bitchin'), Dumbledore, and the Weasley twins.  And even those who didn't have a notable part to play in the final film were present in an entirely different way; not to mention, it was fun to see a kind of proverbial curtain call for so many of the unsung heroes of these films, and of the wizarding world.

The fight:  The battle of Hogwarts was fucking epic.  There's just no other way to say it.  I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, despite the fact that I literally knew everything that would happen within its duration.  And I knew going into it that the filmmakers were going to draw out the final fight between Harry and Voldemort

Multiple perspectives:  I loved how much the film was willing to break (albeit briefly) from Harry's limited point of view in order to show us what other important characters were up to.  I loved that we got to see Ron and Hermione go into the chamber of secrets, and all the glimpses we got of Voldemort and his followers during the battle.  This really added much-needed layers to the film that would have otherwise been very difficult to translate from the book.

The ending:  I was concerned that with so much focus on the battle itself, the filmmakers might short-change the ending a bit.  My fears were unfounded, though, because I think it really wrapped up on just the right note, with the trio standing together amid the ruins of Hogwarts in silent solidarity, looking ahead to whatever might be on the horizon.  I was even pleasantly surprised by the epilogue, which turned out much better than early leaked photos of the original shoot had hinted.  I think the best part of it was the call-back to Harry's first journey on the Hogwarts express, with the chocolate frog crawling up the window as Albus Severus greeted his new schoolmates.  Seeing Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny one last time, smiling and looking as though the burdens of the past had finally been lifted from their shoulders, was much more cathartic than I'd expected.

Despite having written all of this, I still don't feel like I've quite explored all of my thoughts on this film.  I think that's due in large part to the dull shock of it all being over-- I literally sat in my chair and stared at the credits, unable to speak, when the movie ended.  I think in a way I'm still feeling that, the disbelief that I've actually seen the last film and I really am out of excuses to obsess over this thing that has been such a huge part of my life, and which has given me so much.

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 7a: Everything Else

So we've covered some of the multitude of things that are great about these films, but as we all know, they are not without their flaws.  Don't get me wrong, I love the films, especially because I have been able to regard them as separate entities from the novels on the whole, but there are always going to be struggles when one attempts to adapt from a beloved book.  Here are a few places where the proverbial ball was really, really dropped.

Plot Holes Abound (Goblet of Fire)
One of the very best parts of Goblet of Fire, the novel, was the immense complexity of the plot, and specifically the means by which Voldemort returns to power.  Central to this explanation is Barty Crouch Jr, played with wonderful creepiness by David Tennant in the film version.  However, the screenwriter totally botched the explanation of why we were even introduced to this character, and didn't come close to explaining the critical role he played in the Dark Lord's return.  Perhaps they were simply counting on moviegoers to be too scared and shocked to question exactly how they ended up there.

Mayhem at the Burrow (Half-Blood Prince)
Not only did this have the potential to throw continuity for a loop going into the final two films, it just felt wholly unnecessary.  Half-Blood Prince the book gave lots of ways to illustrate the growing threat and power of Voldemort and company, they didn't have to burn Ron's house down!  It did give us a pretty great visual, I guess, but I would have rather had them use that time (and budget) on some of the scenes which were in the book but ultimately cut from the movie, such as additional trips into the pensieve with Dumbledore.

False Hope for Harry/Hermione Fans (all films, possible exception of Half-Blood Prince)
Guys, it's time you all accept something, just in time for the final film this week, where it will be cemented in film history forever.  It's Hermione and Ron.  They're the ones who belong together, who have always been intended for each other, and who (SPOILER) wind up married to one another.  Unfortunately, it would appear that the filmmakers have forgotten this, and on more occasions than can really be excused.  Long gazes at Hermione in her dress robes (GoF) and slow dancing (DH1) notwithstanding, Harry and Hermione are only ever going to be platonic friends, regardless of how nice Dan and Emma might look together.

Harry and Ginny (Half-Blood Prince)
One character who has been consistently shortchanged in the films is Ginny Weasley, particularly when it comes to her romance with the Boy Who Lived.  Yes, it does come up rather suddenly even in the novel (Half-Blood Prince, for those wondering), but the films somehow turn it into even more of a mess.  JK Rowling wrote a great story for Harry and Ginny, one that was realistic and entertaining, and many of the moments she penned (the kiss in the common room, in particular), were OBVIOUSLY written with the films in mind.  And what did the filmmakers do instead?  Gave us awkwardness on top of awkwardness, a thoroughly anticlimactic first kiss, and not even the courtesy of a proper breakup at the end of film 6.  So many people complain that Bonnie Wright is not a very talented actress, but I would turn that statement around and ask when she has been given anything truly decent to work with.

Snape's Worst Memory (Order of the Phoenix)
Okay, here's the thing about this scene.  We learn later that Lily is the key part of the reason it is Snape's "worst memory", and in the film she doesn't even appear, despite the fact that they cast her and presumably filmed a scene in which she was featured.  This is one of the many ways they've failed to execute the Snape/Lily subplot, and as it stands, people who have only seen the films have no idea that Snape and Harry's mother even knew each other, much less had any kind of relationship.  How DH2 will remedy this in the course of a few scenes, we will have to see, but my biggest complaint about this whole business is the fact that JK Rowling had final approval on changes made to her stories, and you'd think she might have been concerned that they omitted such a critical detail.

Magic Movie Moments with Harry, Part 1: Sorcerer's Stone

Anyone who is even a casual reader of this blog knows that I am a huge Harry Potter fan.  Seriously, it borders on unhealthy, this obsession I still somehow have.  And this summer marks the very last time that it's going to be (marginally) socially acceptable for me to gush over all things HP.  (This doesn't mean I won't continue to do so, it just means that it will be all the more annoying to everyone around me when I do).  Anyway, the final film comes out in just a few weeks' time, and I thought I'd take a look back at the previous seven films, the last ten years of this big-screen phenomenon, and pick out some of my favorite moments.  

Harry, Ron, and Hermione have the meet-cute of a lifetime on the train to Hogwarts.
Our Trio's First Scene Together! 
Harry and Ron bond over a mutual fascination with each other, and their love of candy (because really, who doesn't love candy?).  Hermione introduces herself with more snobbery than 99% of eleven year olds on the planet-- good thing that turned out to be a misdirect.  I loved the way each of them acted in this scene; the personalities of the three characters were well-articulated even in their first moments together.  Oh, by the way, Hermione?  That boy you're passing judgment on?  The ginger kid with the dirt on his nose?  Yeah, you're gonna marry him.

Harry's Big Game

 The quidditch scene addresses our wondering of how the hell they would convey this wacky sport on the big screen. I have to say, I'm still amused by just how brutal it was made to look here (three of Harry's teammates are down for the count by game's end, and no one seems terribly concerned), and given the limited technology of 2001, the whole thing is pretty darn impressive for its time.


Mirror Images

Our Harry takes a nighttime stroll in his newly acquired invisibility cloak, and comes across a treasure in a secret room.  This scene is probably my favorite in this book, and definitely my top 10 of the series, for the simple poignancy.  Harry is an eleven year old boy, and as such could be hoping for any number of silly things, and yet his dearest ambition is to see an image of his parents one more time.  My heartstrings had officially been tugged when I read this scene, and the wide-eyed longing with which baby-Dan Radcliffe played this scene was just perfect.  And of course, it's from this scene in both book and movie that we learn one of the most important lessons Dumbledore will teach us:  "It does not do to dwell on dreams, and forget to live."

Life-sized Chess!  Ron sacrifices himself!

This scene, apart from being so darn exciting in the book, is a huge moment of achievement for all three members of the trio.  Ron steps up to the plate in a big way, leading the team to a victory that neither Harry nor Hermione could have achieved; Hermione realizes that her brand of intelligence isn't enough in every situation (though admittedly it comes through in many of them); and Harry faces the fact that he can't be the only one to make sacrifices all the time (of course, he seems to forget and re-learn this lesson in all seven books).  And amid all the epiphanies, there's of course the really cool visual of giant chess pieces facing off in a battle to the death.


"I'm not going home, not really."

Harry finds his place at Hogwarts and we, like him, eagerly await the journey back.  I love that the film ended on this note, with John Williams' beautifully composed score swelling optimistically as the train rolls away.  It just seems to perfectly sum up the feeling in Harry's heart when he leaves this first year of magic and so many new discoveries.  There's also a bit of a bittersweet note-- Harry knows now what he's returning to, and what he's leaving behind.  Fortunately, this time it's only for a summer.

Stay tuned for part two, when I dig through the denseness that is Chamber of Secrets for its best moments.

Final Harry Potter trailer ever. That's right, ever.

This is the final trailer for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 (so many sad faces).  It looks even more epic than the previous trailers, even if the music is a little too reminiscent of that other fantasy series that came out a few years back (I think there may have been a bearded wizard in that one too...).  Honestly though, I am so excited for this movie--I'm usually able to spot at least a couple of things in the previews that seem like the filmmakers might have messed up, but to this point with this film I really haven't, and that is such a happy thing for a truly devout fan of the books.

Only 29 days left until the movie!  I'm sure to have more thoughts before that time, including a look back at some of the best moments these films have given us over the past decade.

Discussion: Will Deathly Hallows Part 2 Live Up to the Hype?

It has begun.  (Actually, it began a few weeks ago, but it's only now I have time to pause and reflect upon it, take it all in.)  The hype train is in full motion for Deathly Hallows Part 2, and it is shaping up to be quite the campaign.  Yes, the major advertisements and such have been cropping up quietly in various corners of the Internet, but I think this is just because WB has learned that word of mouth is these films' most valuable marketing tool.  The trailer went viral approximately 10 seconds after it made its appearance (I posted it here only to find that all my blogger friends had done the same within the same 10 minutes or so), and the amount of stills and clips and the usual jumble of spoilers has been much more sparse this time around. 

I for one like that the marketing team seems to be going minimalist for this film.  Even the posters that have just been released are understated, just a photograph and the "IT ALL ENDS" caption, which for me is more than sufficiently epic, but when compared to your average movie poster is incredibly scaled down.  This leads me to believe that not only are they relying on us fans to spread the word and generate buzz due to our tragically mingled excitement and sadness about the series' final film, but that the film may just be capable of speaking almost entirely for itself.  I tend to judge films before their release based on the choices made in their marketing (how early, how frequent, etc), and generally the movies that truly blow us all away are the ones that didn't have the loudest, most explosion-y commercials or a million and one scenes leaked on the web.  They're the ones that some sects of the movie-going community started talking about ages before their actual release, and that have the least to prove at the box office.  Because let's face it, even if Deathly Hallows 2 tanks (which it won't, because I'm pretty sure myself and my nerd friends' ticket money could single-handedly keep it afloat), the franchise is already swimming in cash.  Even if this movie is a huge financial disappointment, there is so much emotion behind it for everyone who made it and everyone who'll watch it that it is impossible for it to be a true failure.

My optimism, however, doesn't blind me to some of the nagging questions I have about the final installment.  I am always slightly wary of these films, just because there are so many tiny places where re-writes of the text can make or break my favorite scenes and characters.  What does give me hope is that Deathly Hallows Part 1 was my favorite by far in terms of accuracy and interpretation, so I'm going to venture a guess that it's sister film can't diverge too widely from this achievement.  I am concerned, though, about some of the changes they seem to be making.  The first is something we all got a glimpse of halfway through the trailer, and something which the producers talked about during filming:  Harry and Voldemort are going to have a physical altercation during the final battle, trading blows that do not take place anywhere in JK Rowling's book (and rightfully so-- writing a fist fight is hard enough; writing a fist fight between a 17 year old boy and a 60-something year old man would be doubly strange).  I understand the motivation here-- it is a movie after all, and that kind of drawn-out fight appeals to the thrill seeker in us, and if I'm being honest I think we can (halfheartedly) admit that in Rowling's version, the final actual confrontation (that is, the moment when Voldemort is actually killed) is just a wee bit anti-climactic.  I could write you a thesis on why it's written that way (I have no doubts it was very intentionally done), but that isn't the point.  What I'm concerned about is whether this scene will come off in the film as well as those responsible for the re-write seem to be hoping.  I can make peace with it as long as it's believable, but if it isn't I worry that this critical moment could turn into a near parody of the text it seeks to bring to life.

My other primary concern (and it's kind of miraculous that at this point I've really only got two) is the Snape and Lily relationship and how it will be portrayed/revealed.  The films have already flubbed this once, cutting Lily completely out of the "Snape's Worst Memory" scene in Order of the Phoenix, so it will be that much more difficult for them to make the Snape plot twist both clear and believable without a whole lot of exposition.  As far as movie-watchers know, Snape and Lily might never have even met one another-- this is a problem as by the film's end we have to buy that he was in love with her, and so much so that he was willing to die for her son with the man he loathed.  And don't forget that this all has to be done without turning the film into the Snape Show.

Overall, I'm excited.  Everything looks pretty great so far, and I think there is an inflation factor for many of us that will make the film seem even better than it truly is just because of our emotional investment in it as the end of an era.  If ever there were a time when "graduation goggles" were going to work in someone's favor, it would be now, and I think the marketing gurus at WB are just savvy enough to realize that.

And On a Completely Different Note...LOOK AT THIS!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 Trailer!

I cannot deal with just how insane this looks.  More thoughts after I've watched/analyzed it 4 billion times.

The Technological Divide

I was so happy.  I was finally at a point in my life where DVDs were affordable, provided I did my homework and found the place selling the movie I most wanted to see for even just a few dollars less than the competition.  Yes, it was a simpler time, a time when I enjoyed purchasing the few films I felt genuinely inclined to watch again and again, and to experience in a new way via all the special features.

And then the whisperings of a new device began.  I heard rumblings of the Blu-Ray revolution, but I was so encased in my bubble of DVD happiness (having finally phased out any and all remaining VHS tapes-- remember those?) that I was able to turn a deaf ear on them.  Blu-Ray would never affect me; I wasn't into dropping all my cash on a new platform for movie watching, not when I was so satisfied with my current viewing means.  I watched a Blu-Ray or two with friends and I came to the conclusion that, even if it grew popular, I didn't want to make the switch over, because I found the excessive sharpness of the movies to be incredibly off-putting.  That wasn't going to become my problem.

But this Friday, after years of resistance and eye-rolling, Warner Brothers tried to make it my problem.  Here was I, in my local Borders (I had a gift card, or else I obviously would've ventured somewhere decidedly less pricey), ready to fork over some $20 for a copy of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1.  I was so excited, because I'd been seeing and reading advertisements everywhere for this awesome DVD package that would include not only hours of special features and behind-the-scenes footage, but a very exclusive preview of the film's second half, due out in theaters on July 15th.  This was perhaps the exclusive reason that I trekked down to the store (in the rain, no less) on the day the DVD was released, so that I could be one of the first people I knew to view all this special features goodness.  But what happened instead was deeply disappointing.

Apparently I had been misled by the advertising campaign, perhaps deliberately.  You see, when I reached the DVDs section, I was presented with two options:  I could purchase a copy of the film, just the film with perhaps a few deleted scenes (which if you know DVDs is nothing special), for the regular price (the 20 or so dollars I was anticipating), or I could have access to all the special features and extras I was promised if and only if I purchased the DVD/Blu-Ray combo for nearly double the price.  I'm sure you can imagine the twinge of annoyance that took me over upon reading that.

I don't have a Blu-Ray player, and I have no plans to purchase one any time soon.  My living room television and computer both play DVD's, and DVDs are still, for the most part, about half the price of the average Blu-Ray.  It makes no sense, logically or financially, for me to make the switch.  And yet here was WB thinking they could appeal to my love of Harry Potter and try to force a conversion out of me.  It was a nice try, I'll admit-- if any movie could have potentially persuaded me (and I'm guessing many others) to consider Blu-Ray, it was HP7.  But I'm not so easily swayed.  I bought the regular DVD, contented myself with watching the movie in normal quality and the halfhearted special features the lone disk included, and you know what, WB?  It was great.  And I'm sure I'll be able to find the preview of the second movie on the Internet in a matter of days, if it hasn't been posted numerous times already.  And then I'll send the link to my friends, with the warning that they shouldn't be bamboozled into purchasing a fancy Blu-Ray copy they don't need or want.  Or better yet, I'll wait until July to see the first scene of Part 2 in person, the way it should be seen.

It's frustrating to live in a society that's constantly upgrading these things.  Yes, it's great that we're on the cutting edge (although I'd like to see a lot of the energy and funds we use for some of these things used on maybe medical advances or helping people who actually need it, but that's another story...), but things are getting out of hand.  We assume everyone has an Ipod, a Smart Phone, a laptop computer, and then we get started on comparing brands.  I've largely tuned out the snobbery of the Apple disciples of the world, but sometimes it just downright stings to be judged because maybe you can't afford to drop $1500 on a laptop when all you really need it for is word processing and Internet; or your old-school flip phone works just fine for you, because it still makes calls and sends texts, which if you can remember that far back was the original purpose of these increasingly absurd devices.

I'm not old-fashioned.  I'm pretty minimalist, but I still have more stuff than I probably need.  But I think it merits asking why we're so obsessed with these kinds of things, and where we think it's actually going to get us in the long run.  I like to think that my appreciation for and understanding of film and music haven't been negatively impacted by the lack of an Apple insignia on the devices by which I consume them, nor will they be.  And I don't like being deceived, just because some corporation thinks they can turn me into one of those consumers who starts blindly assuming I need that next new shiny thing.

And So Begins the Final Countdown

EPIC, right?  If you're like me (and by 'like me' I mean an alarmingly fanatic Harry Potter disciple), this is one of the moments you've been waiting for since 2001.  It's a full decade later now, and the buzz and excitement in the lead-up to these movies still never fails to set my heart aflutter.  And I am fully expecting the run-up to this movie to be the most outrageous yet.

Anyone who's seen my Tumblr page knows that I haven't been very patient in waiting for any signs of Deathly Hallows Part 2, particularly over the past few weeks.  I have my reasons:  this is typically the time when we would start getting images in heavy volume, and possibly a trailer for the forthcoming film, and up until this week there was all but silence on the part of WB.  I remembered all too well the delays in promotions for the Half-Blood Prince film, and we all know what ultimately happened there.  Since another nine month delay isn't even on the short list of things I want to deal with, I've been getting a bit antsy. 

And then Monday afternoon rolled around, and I discovered the first sign of a change in the wind.  WB has released the first official promotional poster for the film, which you can see at the top of this post.  Additionally, we're about to get hit with an onslaught of footage from the film, according to various sources.  The DVD for Deathly Hallows Part 1 drops Tuesday 11 April, and I will be at the store probably that day so that I can experience the first scene of Part 2, which is confirmed to be included in the Special Features.  Additionally, on Thursday at CinemaCon (formerly ShoWest), there will be an exclusive screening of footage from the second film.  No specifications on what will be shown, but David Heyman will be on hand, so you can bet it's going to be pretty significant.  I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that someone will be able to smuggle in a camera to capture the footage for those of us not attending the festival. 

I think it's safe to say that the next couple of weeks will mark an escalation in the fandom, and the beginning of the ultimate hype in the lead up to HP's final onscreen adventure.  I'm already counting down the days until July 15th, but I'm more excited for the moment when everyone else starts to anticipate it alongside me.